First 1911 - Questions

MetisWolf

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Hi Guys and Gals,

So i am looking at getting a 1911. So many out there, i currently have a Sig Sauer P226 and it fits my hand perfectly.
Will a 1911 also fit nice? I figure it's because of the design of the grip on the P226 and all 1911's look straight on the grip.

Does anyone have experience with various brands and models? I was leaning more towards a Sig 1911 as i've fallen in love with the Brand, but don't want to drop $$$ on something that might not work out(Like i did on the CZ Shadow 2)

Just hoping for some inside from 1911 owners and others who may also shoot the P226 and found a 1911 just as enjoyable to hold and shoot.
 
The 1911 is one of the most natural pointing pistols in the world. It’s great for one hand and two handed shooting. The narrow single stacked grip is the perfect width for most people, including women. The straight back trigger vs the pivoting trigger on the 226 or Glocks makes accurate shooting easy. Most mid to high end 1911s including the SIG come with about a 5lb stock pull. Some are as low as 3lbs.

Are you looking at a 9mm or .45 in your 1911? Or .40?

There are few bad things about the 1911. My one pet peeve is the difficulty in taking it apart and putting it back together especially if you have the full length guide rod. If you love the field stripping of your SIG, you’ll hate it on the 1911! Takes a lot of practice. Also, watch out for making the famous idiot scratch.
Another thing is you need a good grip on the 1911. A lot of people slip their hand off the grip safety which causes the gun to not shoot. You need to be sure your grip depresses the grip safety fully every time.

What didn’t you like about a CZ? It’s like everyone’s most favorite pistol on CGN!
 
The 1911 is one of the most natural pointing pistols in the world. It’s great for one hand and two handed shooting. The narrow single stacked grip is the perfect width for most people, including women. The straight back trigger vs the pivoting trigger on the 226 or Glocks makes accurate shooting easy. Most mid to high end 1911s including the SIG come with about a 5lb stock pull. Some are as low as 3lbs.

Are you looking at a 9mm or .45 in your 1911? Or .40?

There are few bad things about the 1911. My one pet peeve is the difficulty in taking it apart and putting it back together especially if you have the full length guide rod. If you love the field stripping of your SIG, you’ll hate it on the 1911! Takes a lot of practice. Also, watch out for making the famous idiot scratch.
Another thing is you need a good grip on the 1911. A lot of people slip their hand off the grip safety which causes the gun to not shoot. You need to be sure your grip depresses the grip safety fully every time.

What didn’t you like about a CZ? It’s like everyone’s most favorite pistol on CGN!

I am looking at 9mm for the 1911. I haven't taken the P226 apart, but i did the Airsoft version, pretty simple.

I felt the CZ shadow 2 was like "Cheating", i was still learning the Glock and with the CZ i was hitting bullseye or close to it each time, without really having to try.
So i got rid of it, especially after i fell in love with the P226 after holding it two different times:)
 
So your plan is to find the hardest gun you can shoot poorly? Most people would love to have a “ cheater” gun that they consistently shoot well!
IMO, from my experience, a good 1911 will be a cheater gun also. With a nice tuned trigger, they are so easy to shoot well. I love shooting 1911s but hate maintaining them!
 
I would disagree about the 1911 being difficult to take apart, compared to revolvers or my MKIII Ruger, the 1911 is very simple and easy to strip and clean: rotate barrel bushing, push slide back, pull slide stop out - that's it. It sounds like you are set on a Sig, so go with what you want, the Sigs are well-built though not the 'traditional' 1911 with their external extractors.
 
So your plan is to find the hardest gun you can shoot poorly? Most people would love to have a “ cheater” gun that they consistently shoot well!
IMO, from my experience, a good 1911 will be a cheater gun also. With a nice tuned trigger, they are so easy to shoot well. I love shooting 1911s but hate maintaining them!

Actually, I've become pretty good with my Glock 17, which is my first pistol. I have gotten a lot better at shooting it etc. It just doesn't fit right in my hand or feel like the right pistol for me.

It's about no having it easy, same with when i took archery, i learned on a recurve bow and i got better, then i tried a compound and it felt too easy and like cheating, so i went back to my recurve.
Having a cheater gun you shoot well with, doesn't let you improve or get better. Your shooting the cheater, you believe you are good at shooting it and then you pick up a non-cheater and you don't do so well anymore.

I'm looking at stock 1911 to buy and use, not going to upgrade it, unless necessary, like when i upgrade my Glock's mag release and slide lock.
 
As much as Sig is a good brand name - I am not a fan of their 1911's. Their slide is shaped funny and they frequently don't fit into holsters typically designed for 1911's. They are also quite pricey for the level of quality. 1911's scream names like Colt, Springfield and if you have the money, Dan Wesson, Wilson Combat and the likes. 1911's are not hard to field strip. Watch a few youtube vids and you will have it down in no time. They just aren't plastic fantastics and require some brains.
 
I would disagree about the 1911 being difficult to take apart, compared to revolvers or my MKIII Ruger, the 1911 is very simple and easy to strip and clean: rotate barrel bushing, push slide back, pull slide stop out - that's it. It sounds like you are set on a Sig, so go with what you want, the Sigs are well-built though not the 'traditional' 1911 with their external extractors.

Compared to a SIG P series, Glock, Beretta, even a BHP, the 1911 takes more time to strip. You may even need a bushing tool. The taking apart is quite doable but the floating barrel link is a pain to line up to put the gun back together again and you risk the idiot scratch at the moment you go “ Aha!!” as the slide stop goes in and digs into the frame!
 
As much as Sig is a good brand name - I am not a fan of their 1911's. Their slide is shaped funny and they frequently don't fit into holsters typically designed for 1911's. They are also quite pricey for the level of quality. 1911's scream names like Colt, Springfield and if you have the money, Dan Wesson, Wilson Combat and the likes. 1911's are not hard to field strip. Watch a few youtube vids and you will have it down in no time. They just aren't plastic fantastics and require some brains.

So all 1911's have the same feel to the grip? I don't have too much to spend, trying to keep it to $1,500 CDN or less. I'm also looking for one that's acceptable for IDPA.
 
So all 1911's have the same feel to the grip? I don't have too much to spend, trying to keep it to $1,500 CDN or less. I'm also looking for one that's acceptable for IDPA.

Saskcop is right. The SIG slide is blockier than a normal 1911. And the external extractor just bugs me too. But the grip feels like other 1911s except the double stacked mag ones. Used STi, SAM, used Colt or Springfield, Remington R1, even Norincos will work and fit normal 1911 holsters. You can easily find very nice 1911s on the EE with your $1500 budget.
 
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I don't find a 9mm 1911 to be particularly satisfying for some reason, though 38super is very nice. Maybe I need to hot-up my 9mm loads...

I've never owned a SiG. No reason why not, other than the old "can't have them all"

I've had/have and liked/respected Ruger, Remington, Colt, Armscor, Springfield, STI... I think that's it. If you're not looking to upgrade and you're looking in SiG territory I won't have to warn you away from Norinco and SAM.

Of all of them I'd buy Colt again (competition), have the Ruger 10mm on my want list, and the Springfield Range Officer is the one 9mm that I plan to keep this time...at least for a while.
 
Get a plain norinco 45 to begin with. Well made and they work. You will get to
know the gun and then you can move up to something else.
I have many colt 45 pistols and norinco 45s
 
I am looking at 9mm for the 1911. I haven't taken the P226 apart, but i did the Airsoft version, pretty simple.

I felt the CZ shadow 2 was like "Cheating", i was still learning the Glock and with the CZ i was hitting bullseye or close to it each time, without really having to try.
So i got rid of it, especially after i fell in love with the P226 after holding it two different times:)
You got rid of it because you were shooting Bullseyes ????
 
The 1911 is probably the only pistol that is available in more brands than any other pistol, and in a very wide price range. Its one of my favorites to use at the range.
 
I would not buy a Sig 1911 either. Apart from the fact that I’m not a fan of the modified Sig style, i’m sure they are ok but for 1500 I think Springfield Armory or Colt is money better spent. Anecdotally I seem to hear about more issues with the Sigs
 
Actually, I've become pretty good with my Glock 17, which is my first pistol. I have gotten a lot better at shooting it etc. It just doesn't fit right in my hand or feel like the right pistol for me.

It's about no having it easy, same with when i took archery, i learned on a recurve bow and i got better, then i tried a compound and it felt too easy and like cheating, so i went back to my recurve.
Having a cheater gun you shoot well with, doesn't let you improve or get better. Your shooting the cheater, you believe you are good at shooting it and then you pick up a non-cheater and you don't do so well anymore.

I'm looking at stock 1911 to buy and use, not going to upgrade it, unless necessary, like when i upgrade my Glock's mag release and slide lock.

If that's the case then you are shooting your "Cheater" incorrectly and not actually a good shooter.
 
I would disagree about the 1911 being difficult to take apart, compared to revolvers or my MKIII Ruger, the 1911 is very simple and easy to strip and clean: rotate barrel bushing, push slide back, pull slide stop out - that's it. It sounds like you are set on a Sig, so go with what you want, the Sigs are well-built though not the 'traditional' 1911 with their external extractors.

In the home of the late Tom Bongalis of North Vancouver, I watched and timed his 11 year old daughter strip and reassemble a beater GI 1911 in well under 30 seconds. He used to practice her doing this as a stunt to impress customers. We were.
 
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